Clear pocket that attaches to an automobile steering wheel for holding electronic and non electronic items

• US 20140131403A1
• Filed: 01/23/2014
• Published: 05/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul A. Wright
• Original Assignee: Paul A. Wright
• Inventors: Wright, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,333,925 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/276
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A portable, foldable, one-piece device that attaches to an automobile steering wheel as a holder for a variety of electronic or non-electronic devices. A clear vinyl pocket can hold notebook computers, electronic reading devices, fire and police command boards, clipboards, books, newspapers, phone lists, while keeping them completely visible. The durable, single piece, washable construction has no moving parts. It can be folded and easily stored on the visor of a vehicle. Hook and loop fastener strips may be sewn to the device for added utility. Accessories may be temporarily affixed to these fasteners: such as writing utensils, note pads, lights, pictures, or other personal or work related items. A small pocket is sewn alongside the larger clear pocket for storage if desired. The device can be mounted to the passenger side dash with additional fasteners.

Claims

1. A steering wheel pocket device for holding electronic and non electronic devices while the vehicle is not in motion, which comprises:

(a) a body member formed of a rip-resistant sheet, said body member having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front face, a back face, and two sides, wherein said body member is divided by a steering wheel mounting slit extending from side to side into a support webbing proximate to said top and an apron extending from said slit to said bottom, said support webbing and said apron joining at said sides to enclose said mounting slit;

(b) an optically clear sheet member affixed to said front face of said body member at said bottom edge, said said clear sheet member defining a pocket having at least one opening at the top of the pocket; and

,

(c) wherein said steering wheel mounting slit is dimensioned to detachably hang the body member on a steering wheel and the pocket is dimensioned to receive on or more objects selected by a user when working in a vehicle.

2. The steering wheel pocket device of claim 1, wherein said body member is composed of a flexible, foldable and tear-resistant plastic having essentially no elasticity.

3. The steering wheel pocket device of claim 1, wherein said optically clear sheet member is composed of a flexible, foldable and tear-resistant plastic having a thickness and thermal conductivity enabling operation of a capacitive or touch sensitive screen through said sheet member.

4. The steering wheel pocket device of claim 1, wherein said optically clear sheet member is composed of vinyl sheet having a 0.030 (30 gage) thickness.

5. The steering wheel pocket device of claim 1, wherein said device is washable and is foldable into a compact folded configuration sized to be stored on a front windshield visor of a vehicle.

6. The steering wheel pocket device of claim 5, wherein said compact folded configuration is sized to be stored in a pocket, in a purse, or in a glove box.

7. The steering wheel pocket device of claim 1, further comprising strips of a fastener system applied to said front face.

8. A kit for coordinating an emergency response from the driver'"'"'s seat of a vehicle, which comprises,

(a) a steering wheel pocket device comprising:

(i) a body member formed of a rip-resistant sheet, said body member having a top edge, a bottom edge, a front face, a back face, and two sides, wherein said body member is divided by a steering wheel mounting slit extending from side to side into a support webbing proximate to said top and an apron extending from said slit to said bottom, said support webbing and said apron joining at said sides to enclose said mounting slit, wherein said steering wheel mounting slit is dimensioned to detachably hang the body member on a steering wheel and the pocket is dimensioned to receive on or more objects selected by a user when working in a vehicle;

(ii) an optically clear sheet member affixed to said front face of said body member at said bottom edge, said said clear sheet member defining a pocket having at least one opening at the top of the pocket;

(iii) a strip or strips of a fastener system applied at one or more sides of said front face;

(b) a command board comprising;

(i) a rigid marking board dimensioned to be supported in said pocket on the rim of a steering wheel, said board having a writing surface for receiving annotations;

(ii) a plurality of tokens, wherein said tokens are repositionably attachable to said strip or strips and to said writing surface; and

,

(iii) at least one marking implement for making annotations on said marking board.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said marking board is provided with a grid permanently displayed thereon.

10. The kit of claim 8, wherein one or more of said tokens are pre-marked with indica identifying a class of emergency vehicle or an agency.

11. A method for coordinating an emergency response from the driver'"'"'s seat of a vehicle, which comprises steps for:

(a) providing a kit of claim 8;

(b) mounting said steering wheel pocket device on a steering wheel of a vehicle;

(c) inserting said rigid marking board into said pocket of said device, said marking board having a size proportioned to be supported on the rim of a steering wheel when in said pocket and having a writing surface exposed thereon;

(d) attaching at least one token of said plurality of tokens to said fastener strips or said writing surface, said at least one token indicating at least one unit responding to an emergency; and

,

(e) making annotations and repositioning said at least one token as an emergency response develops.